S.B. 639 has been approved by the Maryland legislature. The bill will establish a task force to study and make recommendations about the establishment of a spay/neuter fund in the state.
The task force will (1) collect and review data on the number of spay/neuter services performed each year in the State and the unmet need for the services; (2) review ongoing successful local spay/neuter programs in the State; (3) review spay/neuter programs in other states and identify best practices; (4) review and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate funding mechanism for a spay/neuter fund; and (5) make recommendations regarding the establishment of a spay/neuter fund that best meets the needs of the State.
The task force is to report its findings and recommendations on or before January 1, 2012, to the Governor, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Environmental Matters Committee.
The task force will be made up of representatives from the state senate, House of Delegates, Dept. of Agriculture, MD Association of Counties, animal advocacy and welfare organizations, Maryland Veterinary Medical Association, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council and the Pet Food Institute.
H.B. 339 was the House of Delegates version.